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Mark 15:46 – So Joseph bought some linen cloth, took down the body, wrapped it in the linen, and placed it in a tomb cut out of rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. (NIV)
When I was a child, prior to the invention of the Internet, I lived in Europe. I missed my family, who still lived in the United States. Once a week, though, my grandparents would initiate a phone call to us. When the phone finally rang, the conversation would flow as we all connected. Another week would elapse before another call — a speaking and connecting, and then silence.
Not much is written in Scripture about the day between Christ's death and His resurrection. Scripture simply notes that His followers laid Him in a tomb, then observed the Sabbath. If we pause to enter the Sabbath with them, we can see their tears, understand their heartache, and feel their confusion. Jesus had healed the sick. He had preached good news. He had promised everlasting life. Now, He was gone. Doubts and questions surely surfaced in the minds and hearts of His followers on Saturday. They had to await the dawn of Sunday to begin to understand God's purpose.
Often in the middle of great trials, we do not sense the work of God. We see only our own suffering and loss. Yet, we must not mistake the silence of God for His absence. He actively works — without words, as well as with them. His presence pervades moments of grief, loss, and confusion when we make room for His Spirit.
To the Jewish people, Sabbath meant rest and worship. They practiced this ritual while their hope lay in a grave. Let us learn from their example. As we patiently wait for our hope to be fulfilled, let us rest in God's Word. Let us sing songs of worship to His name. Let us spend time in prayer and thanksgiving for His past works. Let us cling to our faith, even if He is silent for a while. Hold fast. Sunday will come!
Prayer: Gracious God, thank You that You have plans for our welfare and that You are constantly working, even in the darkness and confusion. We trust You, knowing that dawn is coming. Thank You for Jesus, the living hope. In His name, we pray. Amen.
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Good one Kathleen, so true.
Blessed Easter.
Thank you for helping remember the In Between time.
Thanks for sharing these words of encouragement, Kathleen.
Thank you for a great devotional. Indeed, Sunday will come!
Thank you, Kathleen for sharing this devotional on this in between day. Blessings.
“Hold Fast. Sunday Will Come!” Very useful, helpful, and wonderful words from you today, Kathleen. I am very grateful.
Thank you, Kathleen, for my heart beat joyfully, and stronger as I read your message. How blessed we are to be sisters-in-Christ.
Thank you for what you say about the in between, perhaps too, how you wrote it. I never thought of this event as an “in between” as something we can glean from.
Thanks Kathleen,
Good food for thought.
Have an inspiring Easter!!
Blessing.
What if we don’t know for sure Sunday is coming? I had not thought of this being a Sabbath a time for reflection prayer and yes, revelation.
Thanks for that.
Your devotional today was excellent! With all that’s going on in the world today, we need to be reminded to wait and trust in God. He is in control and His plan is perfect.
Bless you and stay safe.
This is indeed an inspirational meditation.
Your words, and the analogy made this time really meaningful.
Bless you and the ones you love as you celebrate “He is risen!”
(BC Canada)
Dear Kathleen:
Thank you for your words in this devotional, especially reminding me that “we must not mistake the silence of God for His absence.”
I appreciate what you shared today!
(Ontario, Canada)
Greetings Kathleen,
Thank you for your writing today. Yes, we must be eternally grateful that our Lord is always there and ready to hear our prayers and gently guide us through our daily life. What a sacrifice He made for us.
Blessings as you celebrate tomorrow with shouts of “He is risen, He is risen indeed!”
Good Morning Kathleen
Thank you for your thoughts in this morning’s devotional. These are such strange and trying days and we all, at times, feel so very discouraged. Thank you for the reminder that God is working and His promises are ever true. Take care and keep safe.
Blessings,
(Canada)
Good morning Kathleen,
You are so right, doubts and question surely were there, even among some of his most devoted believers. The two men on the way home to Emmaus is proof of that. But they did meet the Risen Lord and their faith was restored.
Thank you for writing this devotional, in my mind’s eye I can see the scenes so plainly.
Blessings and a Happy Easter, the Lord is risen indeed.
Dear Kathleen,
I really like your perspective of taking not of the time in between and the importance of waiting on our Lord and trusting that he is working even in the darkness. This pandemic we are going through is like the dark period between Good Friday and the resurrection. We have to trust that the Lord is working on behalf of his followers. It takes us to remember what God has done for us in the past to help us get through the present. It takes reading his Word and praising him to help us to remember. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Blessings.
Thanks, Kathleen, for “The In Between”! As Easter people, we have it so much easier than the disciples because we know Sunday IS coming with the certain knowledge of the Resurrection.
I know first-hand that you are so right that in “moments of grief, loss, and confusion when we make room for His Spirit.”
That was so true when my husband died unexpectedly! My challenge now, as I prepare 2 years later to move from our long-time home, is to remember your prayer during my experiences of being overwhelmed with packing and letting go of the past.
Your prayer is my prayer now.
When I pray those wonderful words, I am calmed and reassured that Jesus, our living hope, is alive and working.
Dear Kathleen,
I appreciate your devotional. How wonderful your grandparents could call your parents once a week. When the silence came at the end of the call, it must have been difficult. We can only imagine how Jesus’ followers felt when he died. But in both cases, the love of your parents, and the love of God continued, even in the silence. Yes. We will hold fast. He Is Risen.